Portable table and utility cabinet



Feb. 13, 1940- J. H. WILLIAMS 2,190,498

PORTABLE TABLE AND UTILITY CABINET Filed Feb 7, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 V illlllmllfl f. INVENTOR Jab: m'lla'anas Feb.13 ,19 4 0. J. H,w|LL1AMs ,190 49 PORTABLE TABLE AND UTILITY CABINET Filed Feb. 7, 193a 2 Sheets -Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 13, 1940 "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a portable table and utility cabinet. Q

More specifically the invention proposes the construction of a portable cabinet having table extension leaves and legs which are connected together in such a manner that when the leaves are lifted'to the horizontal position the'legs will be pivoted to a vertical position so as to engage the ground and support the utility cabinet.

. Still further it is proposed to provide an extension tube extending through the cabinet and which is adapted to be'extended when the leaves and legs are extended.

: -Still further it is proposed to store an unibrella. or similar object within the hollow tube and whichmay be extended above the'cabinet tor shading the table when it is used at sea shores and similar spots. For further comprehension of the invention,

and or the objectsand advantages thereoflreierence will be hadtothe'iollowing description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in'which the various novel (eatures oithe invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view or the portable table and utility cabinetin its folded condition.

a Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l but showing the parts in their extendedcondition.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-4 of Fig. 1. I I"F1 2 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of 8. Fig. 5 is an enlarged-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 01' Fig-1. Fig. 6 is an-enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 4. FlFig. 'l is a sectionalview on the line I--| of 8. 3. I 7

mm. 8 is a sectional view on the line H of g. 7. 45 Fig. 9 is a view looking in the direction of the line 0-9 011518. 4.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged elevational view of the extensiontube per se.

1 Fig. 11 is an elevational view of a lamp which 50 in? be used in conjunctionwith' the extension u e. a I

The portable table and'utility cabinet, according to this invention, includes a hollow body ll having a top 10. Table extension leaves II are :hingedly mounted on the sides of the body ll and normally extend downwards along the side of the body Ill. The leaves II are adapted to be extended upwards to a horizontal position. Legs I! for the table l0 are hingedly mounted on the sides of the body and normally extend 5 upwards along the sides of the body Ill. These legs are adapted to be extended downwards to a vertical position. An extension tube I3 is mounted through the body [0 from the bottom to the top and is normally retracted into the 10 body It and extendabletherefrom. A means is cooperative between the table extension leaves II, the legs Hand the extension tube [3 for extending the tube from the top'of the body Ill and lowering the legs i2 when the leaves I] 5 are raised.

' The hollow body It! is in the formof a cabinet and has a plurality of drawers l4 "slidably mounted into the ends thereof and which are adapted to be closed by locks l5. These drawers 20 are normally used for storing supplies for picnic lunches and the locks ii are to hold the drawers H in their closed position to prevent any of mounted atone of their edges by means of hinges H and normally extend upwards along-the side of the hollow bodyl0, and in their extended position are adapted to abut against shoulders 5 I8 fixedly attached to the bottom of the hollow body Ill. The shoulders l8 act to limit the pivoting of the legs I! to a position in which they will depend vertically Irom the hollow body III.

The tube 13 consists of telescopic sections Hi 40 and IS". The lowermost section i3 is provided with a flange l9 by which this lower section is fixedly attached to the bottom wall of the body ii. The top section i3 slidably engages into the bottom section l3 and is adapted.- to be extended through an opening 20 formed in the top n of the body [0. .A plug 2| extends into the section 13' and has a flange 22 which is adapted to engage around the open end of the section 13 for preventing this plug from slipping into the tube It. An umbrella 23 is attached to one side of the plug 2!. When the plug 2| is inserted into the top of the tube l3 with the portion 2|- from the top of the tube so that it may be opened for shading the table when the device is used at a beach or similar sunny spot.

The means for extending the legs and tube when the leaves are raised comprises a folding arm 24 for each leaf N. Each arm 24 is formed of a top section 24 and a bottom section 24 The top section 24 of thefolding arm 24 is pivotally supported upon a bracket 25 attached to the under face of the leaf N. The end of the section 24' is pivotally attached to a bracket 26 supported upon the leg l2. The adjacent ends of the sections 24 and 24 of the folding arm 24 are pivotally connected together by a pin 21. Thus when the leaf II is raised it will pivot the leg I2 until it reaches a vertically downward extending position in which it will abut against the shoulder I8. When the leaf I and the leg l2 are fully extended the folding arm 24 will pass a point past dead center and prevent the leaves and legs from accidentally folding.

A collar 28 consisting of separate half circular portions 28 extends around the topsection |3 of the extension tube I3 and is adapted to be held in position thereon bymeans of screws 29 which engage through outwardly extending flanges formed on the portions 28 A link 30- for each of the folding arms, 24 ispivotally mounted at its top end upon one of the sections 28 of the collar 23. A lever 3| is pivotally mo unted at a point intermediate its ends upon a vertical column 32 extending from the top to the bottom of the hollow body III. The lever 3| has one of its ends 3| pivotally attached to the bottom end of the link 30. The other of its ends 3| is pivotally attached to the section 24 of the folding arm 24 intermediate of its ends. The

folding arms 24 are extended by raising one of the leaves II to a horizontal position which will correspondingly pivot the levers 3| to urgethe links 30 upwards extending the top section I3 of the extension tube table IBM g I a A means is provided for locking the plug 2| into the open end of the extension tube I3 in the closed position of the device to prevent arti-.

cles stored therein from being stolen. This means also acts to hold the top section l3 extended when the device is in the open position.

, The means comprises a plate 33 attached to the top face of the hollow body III. A bar 34 is pivotally attached to they plate 33 at one side of the 7 opening 20 by means of. a hinge 35. This bar is adapted to extend across the opening 20 and engage, against the top face of the plug 2| for locking the plug into the extension tube I3. A look 36 is attached to the. top face of the bar 34 and has a bolt 31 which is adapted to engage beneath a keeper 38 mounted upon the plate '33 on the other side of the opening 20. A key not shown on the drawings is adapted to be insertedinto the lock 36 for moving the bolt 31 from a position beneath the keeper 38 to a position within the lock. body 36 so that the bar 34 may be pivoted to the vertical position when it is desired to extend the tube I3.

The bolt 31 of the lock 36 has an extending peg 39. having an enlarged head 39 which is adapted to engage into a bayonet slot 40 formed in the side of the top section I3 of the extension tube I3. When the top section I3 is fully extended and the bolt 31 is in its closed position the enlarged head 39' of the peg 39 is adapted .w'ardswill correspondinglyv move; the top section I3 of the tube I3 to extendthis sectionv through the q opening 20 formed in the table top I0.

the top section I3 is fully extended the enlarged 33, is, passed through the I3 through the-top'of the to pass through the enlarged end 4I'|, of the bayonet slot 46. The key may then be inserted into the lock 36 and moved to extend the bolt 31 so that the body portion of the peg 39 will engage into the narrow end 4|] of the bayonet slot 40 which will prevent this peg from accidentally disengaging the slot 40 and so hold the tube |3 against moving inwards to collapse the table.

In the closed position of the bar 40 the enlarged head 39 of the peg 39' i$ adapted to engage into a recess 4| formed in' the plate 33.,

which acts to permit the bolt 31 to be moved from the open to the closed position, and vice versa. 9A handle-42 has its ends pivotally sup ported in bearings 43 attached to the plate 33:

at the sides of the bar 34 and which is to be used for carrying the device when it is in its closed condition. I In Fig. 11 a plug 2| is shown which has a lamp 44,attached thereto. This plug may be inserted into the extended end of the tube |3 in place of the umbrella 23. The lamp 44 is provided with an electric cord 45 having a plug 46 which may be inserted into a conventional electric socketfor. supplying currentto the lamp 44.

The'operation of thedevice. is as follows:

When it is desired toextend the leaves II and a correspondingly extend the legs I2 and the tube I3, a key is inserted into thelock 36 and ro-; tatedto retract the bolt 31 from beneath the keeper 38 so that the bar 34 may be pivoted to the vertical positionto permit the top section I3 of the tube I3 to be extendedr Then the leaves II are moved tOillehol'iZOlIi-I tal position which'will-caus ethe foldingarm 24 to move outwards to extend the legs 2 to a position in which they will depend vertically from the bottom of the hollow body lll, =When the folding arm 24 is movingoutwards itwill cause the lever 3| to pivot When the links 3'0 move upwards they head 39 of ,the peg enlarged end 40*? of thebayonet; slot 40.

to cause the peg 39 topass from the enlarged and urge-the links 30 up end 40 to the small end 40 ,of the slot 40. In

tended the plug 2| may be withdrawn ,from the open end thereof and the end-2 re-inserted into the tube I3 so that the umbrella may be -opened above the tabletop ||l to shadeit from the direct rays of the sun. 3

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do'not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed'and the right ing within the scope of the invention as defined in the. appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I [claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patentisz the extended position the peg 39 will act'to. limit f pivoting of the bar 34 and so hold' the tube |3 i in its extendedposition. When the tube isexis reserved to all changes and modifications com- 85 mounted-on the sideslof said body and normally extending upwards along tobe-extended downwards to vertical positions,

I from thebottom to an extension tube mounted through said body cooperative between said table extension leaves 'and said legs and said extension tube :for -extending said tube from the top of'said body and lowering said legs when said leaves are raised. 2. A portable table and? utilityecabinet, comprlsinga hollow body having a top,table extension leaves :hingedlymounted on the'sides of said body and normally extending downwards along thesides and adapted'to be extended upwards to horizontal positions,"legs=for the table hingedly mountedon the sidesloi said body and normally -extending upwards along-the sides and adapted to be extended downwardsto vertical positions,

an extension-tube mounted through said=body leaves and said legs and'said extension tube for extending said tube'from' the top of said body and lowering said 'legs'"wh'en said leaves are raised, shoulders attached to the bottom wall of saidhollow' body forlimiting-the pivoting of said legs to a position in which they will depend vertically from the bottom of said body.

3. A portable table and utility cabinet, comprising a hollow body having a top, table extension leaves hingedly mounted on the sides of said body and normally extending downwards along the sides and adapted to be extended upwards to horizontal positions, legs for the table hingedly mounted on the sides of said body and normally extending upwards along the sides and adapted to be extended downwards to vertical positions,

an extension tube mounted through said body from the bottom to the top for supporting an umbrella and normally retracted into the top of said body and extendable therefrom, and means cooperative between said table extension leaves and said legs and said extension tube for extending said tube from the top of said body and lowering said legs when said leaves are raised, said extension tube being formed of separate sections slidably. engaged one within the other, a flange formed on one of said sections by which the tube is attached to the bottom wall of said hollow body, said table top being formed with an opening through which the other of said sections is adapted to be extended.

4. A portable table and utility cabinet, comprising a hollow body having a top, table extension leaves hingedly mounted on the sides of said body and normally extending downwards along the sides and adapted to be extended upwards to horizontal positions, legs for the table hingedly mounted on the sides of said body and normally extending upwards along the sides and adapted to be extended downwards to vertical positions, an extension tube mounted through said body from the bottom to the top for sup-' porting an umbrella and normally retracted into the top of said body and extendable therefrom,

and means cooperative between said table extension leaves and said legs and said extension tube said tube from the top of said when said leaves are for extending body and lowering said legs raised, said extension tube being formed of separate sections slidably; engaged one within the the sides and adapted the top for supporting an umbrellaand normally retracted into the top of said body and extendable therefrom, and means top , othenjaflange formed on one of said sections by which the tube is attached to the bottom wall of said hollowbody, saidtable top being formed with an opening through which the other of said .sections is adapted to be extended, said means comprising folding arms connected betweeneach adjacent leaf and leg, .a link for each unit of said folding arms pivotally connected with the top section of said extension tube, and a pivotally mounted lever for each unitof said folding arms connecting together said links and folding arms so thatwhen said leaves are pivoted to the horizontal they will correspondingly move said folding arms to pivot said leverandurge said link upwards to extend the top section of said tube through said opening.

5. A-portable table and utility cabinet comprising a hollow body having a top,-table extension leaves hingedly mounted on the sides of said body and normally extending. downwards along the sides and adapted to be-extended upwards to an extension tube mounted through saidbody from the bottomto the top for supporting anumbrella and normally retracted into. the top of said bodyand extendabletherefrom, and means cooperative between said table extension leaves and said legs and said extension tube for-extending said tube from the top of said body and lowering said legs when said leaves are raised, said extension tube being formed of separate sections slidably engaged one within ,the other, a flange formed on one of said sections by which the tube is attached to the bottom wall of said hollow body, said table top being formed with an opening through which the other of said sections is adapted to be extended, said means comprising folding arms connected between each adjacent leaf and leg, a link for each unit of said folding arms pivotally connected with the top section of said extension tube, and a pivotally mounted lever for each unit of said folding arms connecting together said links and folding arms so that when said leaves are pivoted to the horizontal they will correspondingly move said folding arms to pivot said lever and urge said link upwards-to extend the top section of said tube through said opening, said folding arms beingconstructed of separate sections having their adjacent ends pivotally connected together and one of said sections being pivotally connected to a bracket attached to the underside of said leaves, and the other of said sections pivotally attached to brackets attached to said legs.

6. A portable table and utility cabinet, comprising a hollow bodyhaving a top, table extension leaves hingedly mounted on the sides of said body and normally extending downwards along the sides and adapted to be extended upwards to horizontal positions, legs for the table hingedly mounted on the sides of said body and normally extending upwards along the sides and adapted to be extended downwards to vertical positions, an extension tube mounted through said body from the bottom to the top for supporting an umbrella and normally retracted into the top of said body and extendable therefrom, and means cooperative between said table extension leaves and said legs and said extension tube for extending said tube, from the top of said body and lowering said legs when said leaves are raised, said extension tube being formed of separate sections slidably engaged one within the other, a flange formed on one of said sections by which the tube is attached to the bottom wall of said hollow body, said table top being formed with an opening through which the other of said sections is adapted to be extended, said means comprising folding arms connected between each adjacent leaf and leg, a link for each unit of said folding arms pivotally connected with the top section of said extension tube, and a pivotally mounted lever for each unit of said folding arms connecting together said links and folding arms so that when said leaves are pivoted to the horizontal they will correspondingly move said folding arms to pivot said lever and urge said link upwards to extend the top section of said tube through said opening, a collar extending around the top section of said extension tube; and said links having one of their ends pivotally attached to said collar on either side of said tube.

7. A portable table and utility cabinet, comprising a hollow body having a top, tableextension leaves hingedly mounted on the'sid'es of said body and normally extending downwards along the sides and adapted to be extended upwards to horizontal positions," legs for the table hingedly mounted on the sides of said body and normally extending upwards along the sides and adapted to be extended downwards to vertical positions, 'an extension tube mounted through said body from the bottom to the top for supporting an umbrella and normally retractedinto the top of said body and extendable therefrom, and means cooperative betweensaidtable extension leaves and said legs-and said extension 1 tube for extending said tube from the top .of

said body and lowering said legs whenisaid leaves y are raised,-said extension tube'being formed of separate sections slidably engaged one within the other, a flange formed on one of said sections by whichthe tube is attached to the bottom wallv of said hollow body, said table top being formed I with an opening through which the other of said sections is adapted" to be extended, said means comprising folding arms connected between each adjacent leaf and'leg, a link for-each unit of said folding arms pivotally connectedwit-h the top section of a, said extension tube, and a pivotally mounted lever for each unit. of said folding arms connecting together said links and f folding arms so that when said leaves are piv,-' oted to the horizontal they will correspondingly move said folding arms to pivot said leverand' r e said link upwards ,to extend the ,top sec-- tion of said tube through said opening, columns extending from the top to the bottom of said hollow -body,'and said levers being pivotally supported upon said columns and having one of their ends pivotally :attached to the free end of said link and the. other .of their ends attached to said folding arms intermediate of their ends. JOHN H. WILLIAMS; 

